Detroit chief defends dropping charges in officer’s death

Detroit Police Chief James Craig defended the decision to arrest and charge then drop charges against a man in the fatal shooting of a college police officer, saying Thursday that officers “are trying to catch a cop killer.”

Craig told reporters that police and prosecutors had “probable cause” to arrest and charge DeAngelo Davis with murder in the November slaying of Wayne State University officer Collin Rose. Craig says Davis was released Wednesday after the investigation “led us in a different direction.”

Police have released grainy videos of an “unknown suspect” riding a bicycle just before the slaying and running away after. Craig says Davis also was in the area and both he and the new suspect “have connections” to the bike, but Craig didn’t elaborate.

“I am here … (for) one reason: We are trying to catch a cop killer,” Craig said, adding that “the investigation never stopped” even after Davis’ arrest.

Craig’s comments and the video releases come a day after Wayne County prosecutors dropped charges against Davis and released him without explanation. Maria Miller, spokeswoman for Prosecutor Kym Worthy, said Thursday that Worthy won’t offer further comment “as it could affect the case going forward.”

“Our focus is working with the police as they continue their efforts to solve the case,” Miller said.

Rose was shot Nov. 22 and died the next day. He was the first Wayne State officer to be killed in the line of duty.

Davis’ attorney, Nicole James, said Wednesday police and prosecutors rushed to judgment when they arrested and charged her client. She called Rose’s death “a tragic loss,” but says it’s “also wrong” that police arrested Davis apparently without evidence.

“I stand firm we made a legal arrest,” Craig said, adding that officers may talk again to Davis “from the view of a witness.”